Post-hole digger.



H. A. WOLF.

POST HOLE DIGGER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 10. I915.

Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

mmqaa u ucnroz HENRY A. WOLF, OF TRIPE SOUTH DAKOTA.

POST-HOLE BIGGER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY A. WOLF, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tripp, in the county of Hutchinson and State of South Dakota, have invented cer tain new and useful Improvements in Post- Hole Diggers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in post-hole diggers or augers.

An important object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the above mentioned character, having simple and reliable means for looking or connecting the cutterblades with the handle, in a manner whereby they will be positively held against displacement but may be separated therefrom when desired, for the purpose of repair 'or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide means of the above mentioned character, which are simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, strong and durable.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, Figure 1 is a side elevation of apparatus embodying my invention, Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal sectional view through the same, upon an enlarged scale, with parts broken away, Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, and, Fig. 4% is a similar view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

In the drawings, whereinfor the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates a handle or rod provided at its upper end with a transverse hand-grip 6. At its lower end the handle 5 has a tubular coupling 7, permanently rigidly attached thereto, by any suitable means.

The numeral 8 designates cutter-blades, preferably longitudinally curved, and having corresponding edges 9 sharpened, as

shown. These cutterblades are provided near .their upper ends with preferably straight shanks 10, preferably formed 'integral therewith. The shanks 10 are provided at their upper ends with inwardly extending horizontal flanges or lips 11, as shown.

Specification of Letters Patent.

rammed Nov. 16, 1915.

Application filed May 10, 1915. Serial No. 27,194.

The numeral 12 designates an inner wedg mg or locking member, which is preferably formed polygonal in cross-section, in the present instance the same being formed square in cross-section. This wedging or looking member is tapered and increases in width downwardly, as shown. At its upper end, the wedging or locking member 12 is provided with a reduced cylindrical screwthreaded portion 13 formed integral therewith providing a shoulder 13, and adapted to have screw-threaded engagement Within the coupling 7, which is provided with interior screw-threads. The shanks 10 are adapted to be arranged upon the sides of the wedging or looking member 12, and these shanks are surrounded by a sleeve 14, preferably having a substantially cylindrical bore, the outer surfaces of the shanks 10 being rounded to conform thereto. At its upper end the sleeve 14 is-provided with an interior annular flange 15, adapted to clamp against the flanges 11 of the shanks 10. The upper end of the sleeve 14 is adapted to contact with the coupling 7 and is held against upward movement thereby, while the wedging or looking member 12 is moved upwardly upon the rotation of the coupling 7.

In assembling the various elements of the apparatus, the shanks 10 of the blades 8 are first arranged upon the sides of the tapered wedging or looking member 12 and the sleeve 14 slipped over the shanks thus as sembled. Thecoupling 7 is then placed upon the reduced screw-threaded portion 13 of the wedging or looking member and by rotation of the handle 5, the coupling moves longitudinaly upon the reduced screwthreaded portions until it engages the upper end of the sleeve 14. When this takes place, the wedging or looking member 12 is .moved upwardly with relation to the sleeve, whereby a powerful engagement is effected between the shanks, wedging or looking member, and sleeve rendering it practically impossible for these parts to work loose.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement, of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

claim:

1. A post-hole auger or digger compris- I ing, a plurality of blades having shanks, a

tapered wedging member having the shanks arranged about it in contact therewith and provided at one end with a screw-threaded extension, a sleeve surrounding the shanks in the assembled position, and a tubular coupling having screw-threaded engagement with the screw-threaded extension of the wedging member and adapted to contact with the end of the sleeve, substantially as described.

2. A post-hole auger or digger comprising; a plurality of blades having shanks; a longitudinally tapered wedging member having the shanks arranged about it in contact therewith and provided at its reduced end with screw-threaded extension, forming a shoulder with such reduced end; inwardly extending flanges carried by the free ends of the shanks to contact with the shoulder; a sleeve surrounding the shanks and provided with an interior flange to engage the top of the flanges carried by the shanks; a tubular coupling having screw-threaded engagement with the end of the screw-threaded extension of the wedging member and adapted to contact with the sleeve; and a handle secured to the tubular coupling.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in' presence of two witnesses.

JAMES L. CRAWFORD, C. L. PARKER. 

